Thailand

As part of our MTEDS internship, we set off as a group of four — Mathilde, Nicolas, Lisa, Lilas — for three weeks deep in the Thai jungle. After more than twenty hours of travel and many adventures, we were warmly welcomed by Sandot and Shen, along with their children John and Jay, owners of Sahainan Permaculture Organic Farm. Founded in 2008, this farm is based on the principles of permaculture, which Sandot and Shen shared with enthusiasm.

The first ten days were devoted to training: Shen taught us the basics, after which we put into practice what we had learned (building cultivation terraces, setting up irrigation systems, propagating plants by cuttings, assisting the local populations, exploring the local flora and fauna…). Sandot, always enthusiastic, made it his mission to show us the landscapes and immerse us in the local culture: thanks to his awesome pick‑up, we visited coffee shops, neighboring farms, temples; took part in festivals, treks, indigo dyeing… we never had a dull moment.

We also met amazing people from all over the world: Israel, Germany, China, France…                                 It gave us the opportunity to use and improve our English every day.

Despite the big differences with our way of life, we adapted quickly. We slept in large cabans open to the jungle, protected by mosquito nets, and ate rice morning, noon, and night, always complemented by the fruits and vegetables from the farm.

The internship ended in a rather dramatic way: floods trapped us in the village, preventing us from returning to Bangkok to catch our flight. With no other option, we spent the night in the back of a neighbor’s pick‑up, who agreed to drive us through flooded roads so we could finally leave.

We leave this internship with our heads full of memories, encounters, and new knowledge!

Mathilde, Lilas, Lisa et Nicolas